Getting The Front Porch Ready

It’s still raining. It’s still not warm. But I can’t wait any longer, I have to get the porch ready for warmer weather. So I did it today instead of working in the yard, because it kept sprinkling on and off anyway. This is the sad “before” picture. Helloooo bench, you look lonely down there.

I usually just sweep the porch off a few times a week during the Summer, but before I decorate it for Spring and Summer I like to hose it down to get all the Winter grime off.

To start with, I made the rug last year by duct taping 6 small rugs together. If I remember right, they were $1.50 each, so only $9 for the whole rug.

Then I added tables and chairs. A small table by the bench to hold cool drinks.

And a larger table to hold breakfast, magazines or drinks and snacks. I spray painted the chairs last year and they’ve held up pretty well.

Next I added some accessories to make the space pretty and welcoming. I spray painted the terra cotta pots yellow last year too.

The tray is actually the lid of a galvanized box (the one the windmills are in). The coasters are because the table is a little uneven and they make the glasses stable. The candleholders are from that great sale I went to a few months ago. They were like .50 cents a piece. There’s no flowers in the pots yet because hubby and I are going on a trip and I don’t want the kids to be stressed over having to water the flowers. Or I don’t want dead ones when I get home.

The hose box needed something to make it look a little better. Adam made the birdhouse in scouts about 11 years ago.

These candleholders are perfect for this end of the porch. There’s not a light down in this area. Plus I love the colors.

Just a little added interest to the small table.

And this welcome sign was .50 cents because the front was falling off. I just glued it back on. Maybe they didn’t own any glue. It’s in the small window by the front door.

Then came the soft stuff. I need to make a cushion for the bench, but for now these chair cushions will do. I made the pillows last year.

I need to make new cushions for the chairs too. Probably the same fabric as the bench.

The flower boxes were added to the railing.

And porch columns, but no flowers yet. Plan on them about June 3rd or 4th, afterI’ve had a day to catch up from our trip.

So here’s the almost finished porch. I still need to paint the bench, make new cushions and make drop cloth curtains for the end by the bench. The morning sun can blind you from that angle in the Summer.

And here’s the front door area. Oh, and we’re making shutters for the front windows too. I’m now ready to sit on the front porch with Ammon and guess the color of the next car that drives by. He always wins! I think he cheats.

I do have one dilemma. What would you do? The bottom of the picture is my beautiful lawn and the top is my neighbor’s. I’m going to have a hard time keeping that out of my yard. The dandelions have already gone to seed and started blowing. So far we only have them in our flower beds, but I’m worried I’m not going to be able to keep them out of my lawn. So what should I do, short of tilling their whole yard for them? Oh, and the backyard is worse. Another good reason for curtains.

I can’t wait for our first breakfast on the porch this season. Think happy warm thoughts! (I’m sorry for any misspelled words. My spellcheck is not working.)